Can I Trust God?

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"... and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me." 

(Psalm 50:15)

     Life is difficult. It's full of sharp forms of adversity and dull ones. Natural disasters and crisis in our health, our home, or our career can cut deep. And the daily struggles of parenting, of maintaining our homes, and of loving our spouses can push on us in uncomfortable ways. Through adversities large and small, the world begs us to wonder, "Where is God?" Like a thick curtain that moves along before us as we move toward it, life is ever-unpredictable and it can leave us aching for worldly distraction instead of godly devotion.

     These are the circumstances that make our trust in the sovereignty of God absolutely essential! In chapter 1 of Jerry Bridges Trusting God, he writes that, "Regardless of the nature of the circumstances, we must learn to trust God if we would glorify God in them" [20]. 

     Wow! That's huge for us church family. If you belong to God then he's rewired you to love his glory. So, pick up and read because none of us has arrived when it comes to glorifying God by being happy in him ... because we trust him.

"Dear Mom" - A Letter of Hope for Future Holiness from 1 Samuel 2:1-10

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Dear Mom,

     I'm writing to say that I thank God for you today. The witness of your persistent love for me over the years - even in the times when I knew I didn't deserve it - were like a sign-post pointing me to Christ. I'm all grown up now. But looking back on my childhood I realize that in giving me you, God has been too good to me. I've been thinking back over all the things God has used you to teach me and I thought you'd like to know what I've learned ...

"And Hannah prayed and said, 'My heart exults in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God."

     For as long as I can remember, you've loved what God has done for you in Jesus more than you've loved anything else in the whole world. More than Dad, or me, or the house, or the car, or the living room rug you protected so fiercely, or ... anything! I can remember as a kid wondering how you could be so consistently content especially in the tough times. I know now that it was because, to you, being saved by the gospel meant you didn't have to be scared by the world. No matter what. Thank you for teaching me that.

"Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed."

     You never let me forget where everything I got came from. Christmas presents. Birthdays. Graduation gifts. Even in the little things like the waves that made the beach so much fun or the snow we used to make our yearly one-armed snowman with. I was always so quick to take things for granted. You were always so quick to slow down and give credit where credit was due. Thank you for teaching me not to steal from God the glory that belongs to him. He is such a great Giver! And he has given me everything. I learned that because God showed it to you first and then were faithful to show it to me.

"The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and on them he has set the world."

     Mom, you taught me that God can do anything. I remember being so upset when I first learned that God was in control of all things because I knew it meant he was even in control of bad things. It didn't make sense of his love at first. But you were so obviously helped by know it that it made me want to know it too. I've never told you this I don't think but, your love of God's sovereignty has been the most influential gift of my life. I know now and will know forever that God's unflinching love for me means no matter how bad things get, God is willing and able to work things out for my good and his glory!

"For not by might shall a man prevail. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.”

     Lastly, I just want to say thank you for teaching me grace. Thank you for teaching me from day one how much I need God's grace. You taught me the pricelessness of grace both when you gave it and when you withheld it. God used the love of your undeserved kindness and the love of your discipline to teach me the depth of my sin. I can remember thinking as a kid, "I'm a pretty good person ... better than him ... better than her!" But you loved me enough not to let me go on believing that. Instead, you taught me that only God is good; that you needed him just as much as I did. God used you're humility to teach me that I was proud. In truth I was weak and only he was strong. You drew lines to the cross for me every day. You hoped in God every day. Now I do too! Thank you for showing me where all the beauty comes from. I love you Mom! Thank you for all of this and for everything else you did to make my joy complete in Christ. In you, God has been too good to me!

 Love,

The future believing, Christ-adoring, others-loving, church-enjoying, Heaven-hoping, sin-assaulting, world-changing, children of C3

(Lord, be pleased to bless us with the eternal delight of believing children. May you bless them and keep them and make your face shine on them and give them everlasting peace.)

Sermon Reflection::Hebrews 1:1-4

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This past Sunday, David taught on Hebrews 1:1-4, speaking about Jesus Christ himself, the radiance that He is of God’s glory, and the supremacy of Christ in our lives as Lord and Savior.

I don’t think that I have ever been to any type of church service where the pastor spoke only about whom Jesus is and His lordship over our lives. His lordship and supremacy in our lives should bring us joy! As John Piper said, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” The deep love of The Father is immeasurable. Lately I have been tested to trust in God’s mighty love and grace more than my own strength. Sometimes when I am at war with sin in my life and in shame and guilt, I forget Jesus. I get so caught up in scripture and memorizing verses to protect myself. (That thought, “protect myself”, is something I struggle with. I try to fight solo and tend to focus more on scripture that encourages and declares we are not to partake in the delights of this world than the love of Jesus Christ and his amazing, merciful, forgiving, compassionate, careful, and mighty authority in my life. That if I follow HIM, and depend on HIM, and love only HIM, I will not gratify the desires of my flesh.) I believe that memorizing verses, praying, and being held accountable by colleagues all are tools that we should use to put sin to death, but without the remembrance and trust of Jesus Christ (that He has reconciled us with The Father by His blood) fighting sin, and the guilt and shame that it brings, is useless.

When I think about how God even spoke to us at all after man disobeyed and sin infected the earth humbles me. That after the fall of man, God being rich in mercy, still spoke to this dirty human race; and sacrificed His spotless lamb for mud. “How deep the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure, that He should give His only Son, to make a wretch His treasure.”

"He is the radiance of the glory of God.”

--Colton Moore - C3 Member

Sermon Reflection::Exodus 33:12-20

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The first Sunday of the year was very special for the C3 body. Ryan Shelton, previous student and worship leader, came home from seminary and helped bridge our study of David’s “True Love” series to January’s yearly emphasis on prayer. As he walked us through Exodus 33:12-20, we were each challenged to ask ourselves how far we would be willing to go without God’s presence.

Just as Exodus is provided as a means for Israel to remember what the Lord has delivered them from, and just how big their God really is – this sermon held a similar purpose for me. I know what it feels like to be without HIS presence, and I beg to never have to feel that again. I wanted a family, the fulfilling job, the American dream – but without HIS presence. I now ask the Lord for a job that uses the passions that He has given me, for a husband that fears and glorifies HIM, children that will grow to love the God I serve, and a faith that honors HIM. Even if I do not receive what I have asked for, it’s amazing how much more secure and content I feel standing on the solid foundation of Christ, rather than my righteousness and hard work.

--C3 Member - Rachel Evans